Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 85

JAINISM IN INDIA
Jainism in Mewar---The Maharanas of Mewar lent support to Jainism. Some of them erected temples and installed images, invited the Jaina ācāryas, honoured them, listened to their discourses and stopped animal slaughter.
The minister of king Allata erected a Jaina temple at Aghata and installed therein an image of Parsvanatha. The Kojra inscription indicates that Srngaradevi, the queen of king Rayasimha erected the stambha on the Parsvanatha temple in 1167 A.D. Jinaprabha Suri was a contemporary of Ksetra Simha. On his arrival at Chitore, the king had arranged an impressive welcome. Maharana Samara Simha and his mother Jayatalladevi were impressed by the discourses of Devendra Suri and became his devotees. Jayatalladevi erected a temple to Parsvanatha and her son made a land gift and prohibited animal slaughter in his kingdom. In 1428, the treasurer to the Maharana Mokala erected a temple to Mahavira. Jainism had a prosperous time during the reign of Maharana Kumbhakarana, the son of Mokala. Many temples were constructed in the whole kingdom and many images were installed. The Jaina Kirti-stambha was built at this time. The famous temple at Ranakpur and Kamalagad also came up during his reign. Jainism spread further under his son Rayamal. Hirvijaya Suri, on whom Akbar had bestowed the title of Jagadguru was once invited by Maharana Pratap and his son Amara Simha made gifts to Jaina temples.
The glory of Jainism spread further under Jagat Simha. He was impressed to hear of the qualities of Deva Suri whom he invited and duly honoured. He was impressed by his holy words and became a devotee. Jainism continued to spread thereafter. Dayal Shah, a minister of Raj Simha erected a beautiful temple at Rajanagara.
Jainism in Vagadadesa-- This region consisted of three kingdoms, Dungarpur, Banswada and Pratapgarh where Jainism was widespread even in the 10th century. One inscription of the period states, 'Glory to the Sri Bagada Sangh'. The kings were the great supporters and their ministers erected temples and installed images.
The ancient name of Dungarpur was Girivara. From the Pravāsagitikātraya of Jayananda it is known that in 1370 A.D. there were five Jaina temples and 500 Jaina families living here. In A.D. 1404, Prahlada, the minister of Rawal Pratap Simha, erected a Jaina temple. Under Gajapala, Jainism continued its flourishing career. His minister Sabha constructed a temple to Santinatha at Antri. Gajapala was
succeeded by his son Somadasa. Sala, who was Somanath's minister,